Who likes the 960

[dm635]

There's something called the "Italian Tuneup". Hold it in 3rd gear and cruise the interstate at higher RPM'S for awhile. From what I've read over the years this gets the valves to rotate. May work, maybe not. I didn't try it on my first 3 960's. The high RPM'S just may help the lifters too if there's any buildup on the sides and the bore. I'd a minimum of 3.5K for an extended period of time. I'd have to think the majority of 960's were never driven with higher RPM'S. I regularly take mine to 4-5K on every drive. Like I said earlier, the replacement engine I have now has not given me the 1st hint of any clatter. I used Rotella 15-40 in my cars. Except for the 960 this year. Last winter it had a vibration at cold start up below freezing temps for about 30 seconds and then smooth out.

I think the heavy 15-40 oil was just too thick when the temps were that low. Had to really work the oil pump and what ever. This fall I changed to Castrol 10-30 and the engine is starting smooth even at 0°. I haven't used this low a viscosity oil in many many years. But I guess it's the new weight I'll be using in the 960 for now on. I believe the tight clearances in the 960 need the thinner oil.

[dm635]

I still use the 15-40 in my 745 with around 206K on it. And also on the big 3.5 liter straight 6 in the bimmer. I don't get the engine vibration at very low temps.

[tmcmilli]

Thanks dm635. I'll try the Italian tuneup. Worth a shot.

I've been running Mobil1 "European Car Formula" 0W40 in mine for the last year since I've owned it. It works fine year round for me. 0W40 is not in the owner's manual of course where they list temperature ranges and suggested viscosities. But if it was, I think it's about the perfect year round oil. I'm in Virginia where we've had a couple of nights in single digits this winter. No ticks noises etc. no problems at cold startup even on the coldest mornings, for what it's worth. Also the issue I referred to with valve clatter happens year round, no different in any kind of weather hot cold in between, doesn't matter, always the same, so I don't think it could have anything to do with me using 0W40 could it? I'm willing to go down to 0W30 if necessary as a test. If there is any difference, the difference is after it warms up it does it more I suppose, though I'm not convinced of that, just allowing that it's possible it could be more noticeable after some driving and warmed up.

[LostMyLastAccount]

I bought a 97 960 for a song about a year ago and I like it. It's a nice cruiser with good interior and ergonomics. The interior puts me off some of the older RWD models.

I'm working on adding a turbo to mine, I'm not a fan of the stock motor\transmission combo.

For top end noise, first thing I'd look at, for any whiteblock would be the oil pickup orings. https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/B6304O ... epair.html

[RickHaleParker]

I'm not a fan of the stock motor\transmission combo.

They were designed for hauling around Fat Cats who did not want their drivers hot rodding their investment. That is why the rear seating has more room then the front seating.

[dm635]

For top end noise, first thing I'd look at, for any whiteblock would be the oil pickup orings. https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/B6304O ... epair.html
[/quote]

I'd forgotten completely about this. I didn't reread the repair, but what I remember about it is air getting sucked past those o-rings. Talking about a job, this would not be an easy repair. You'd almost be better off pulling the engine to drop the oil pan and get those seals correctly in place. No matter how you look at it there's no easy way around it.

Keep us updated if you do the turbo upgrade. Sounds interesting.

[LostMyLastAccount]

Yeah it looks like the Orings are a real pain on the 960, you have drop the subframe to get the oil pan off. In my case I'll have to drop the pan for an oil feed return anyway. I fully expect that part to suck.

Here's a topic for the +t build on turbobricks.

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=347308

At this point I have a bunch of homework done (Probably too much) and expecting a manifold that may/may not work on the way.

Work has started on a 960 XDF to tune the Motronic 4.4 ECU with the B6304 engine:

XDF discussion topic: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=347374
XDF files on github: https://github.com/pulsatemedia/Volvo-B ... F-Motronic

[dm635]

I do check in on turbobricks. I've seen those posts you highlighted. There's certainly a different vibe between here and there. No much going on there when it comes to the 960. I still try though.